Instead of saying “I will be happy IF…”, it would be better if we say “I will be happy EVEN THOUGH …“

Let me give some examples:

This what we usually say either to ourselves or to anyone:

“I will be happy if I get a handsome, rich guy. “

“I will be happy if I get a job in a prestigious company with a high salary.”

“I will be happy if I am a famous football player/ dancer/ actor.”

etc… which it will be an endless list

What makes us happier is when we are able to say these things, such as:

“I will be happy even though my boss is quite demanding that he gives me lots of criticisms. It is much better to hear the truth than to hear that my work is good but in the end of the project he would say my idea is bad.”

“I will be happy even though every time it rains, it leaks on my ceiling of my house. At least I still have a house.”

“I will be happy even though my family only eat this simple dish not like others who always have a luxurious and tasty dish.”

I have watched TV programs about some, poor people who are struggling with their unbelievable hard work without complaints to support their family and also students who have to walk for miles across a wide river to go to school because there is no bridge accessible from their home to school.

Life is tough but for those who always do their best and be thankful it would be fruitful.

Be happy..for everything we have…for the people who are around us…for every happy and sad moment that God allows us to have.

Let me make it more simple… Just be happy. (period)

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

Monday, July 9, 2012 was the date when I started my new journey as a student (again) but now it’s just greater that I’m now a graduate school student in English Applied Linguistic in my beloved campus Atma Jaya Catholic University. Eventhough my classes are just pre-course before the real course which is started in August, I find it really enjoyable. It’s just like I’m going back to my old routines in my undergraduate school in Faculty of Education (English major, of course ;p). The differences are the atmosphere in class, the lecturers who are all professors, and the great friends who are well-experienced professionals in their field. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to pursue my dream in my study.

Going back to the day that I was pretty shocked knowing that I missed the chance to be the student for this batch because of a very silly mistake. I was late in paying my tuition which is due on Friday (someday in June) because of my super-business at school. I just realized it when Andi (my fiance) asked me whether I had paid my tuition and I just shouted “Oh no!” It was on Saturday, the day after the due date of the last payment. I directly called the administration staff, Pak Edi for giving me some extra time to transfer my tuition. However, he said that he couldn’t give me that permit as it was the rule, but he gave me some hope that I might register for the next batch next month but it was alright for me not to have the entrance test again. Well, I was very sad but I kept my positive mind that at least I was given another chance to study in July and I should be more careful and pay attention to the important dates next time.

I had come again to the administration to enroll again by paying the registration fee. It quite soothed me but I still have to wait for few more weeks to pay the tuition. One afternoon, I was having my great time “karaoke-ing” with my bestfriends, Amel and Melink when a text message came to my cell phone and it was from Pak Edi, saying that I need to call him urgently. I just realized that he had called me before his message came but I think I was just very busy singing hahaha… Then I called him directly and I got a very big news from him that I was given a chance to enroll for my graduate school without paying any more registration fee (so I will get refund for my second payment for registration) in 3 days. I just answered, “OK, I’ll come to the campus tomorrow. Thank you very much!!!” I thank God for giving me a miracle. Thanks to the other student that had the same case like me so the board reconsidered our opportunities to pay the tuition in allotted time. Horrayyy…

So that’s a brief flash back how I ended up in a class of pre-course for Graduate school. I really had my review about my lessons back then: Linguistics: phonology, semantics, syntax and all the difficult terms also Academic Writing. I’m so happy that I’m among great people as my classmates not mentioning the smart professors (hopefully I can be one of them too ;p)

Thanks God for every opportunity He has given to me to study, learn from the experts and run my new business. I have never thought that things will be this colorful. I was a little bit “shy” in the introduction for our first lesson. Every one was asked their names, professions and things about themselves. Most of them are well-experienced teachers; one of them are lecturer; there are also a journalist, editor and translator. They are super-cool. When it came to my turn, I introduced myself “Hi, My name is Widya. I have been a teacher for about 5 years and I just resigned from my school.” The Prof asked me “Why? How can you pay your tuition?” I directly answered “I just have to choose from 2 options: study or work and I chose ‘study’. About my tuition “well, I’m getting married” and the class just laughed..hahaha.. (well, I will try my best to pay my own tuition not giving any more burden for my future husband so I try to run a business). I think I had made an impression of the resigned-teacher going to get married soon hahaha

Anyway, I feel so excited and enthusiastic in every lesson. Hopefully I keep my motivation and spirit up. I have to strived harder as I don’t get any scholarship from any institution like my friends do. I have to prove them that I can make accomplishment from a person like me. I have a dream that I will graduate from my Grad school and make all my family and friends very proud of me.

It is just the beginning. I know the road may not be easy so I put the big C (Christ) in every step that I’ve made and believe that something good has been prepared for me and my beloved ones.

Oh uh-huh
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I’ll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see
I’ll be the light to guide youFind out what we’re made of
When we are called to help our friends in needChorus
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I’ll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You’ll be there
‘Cause that’s what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah

If you’re tossin’ and you’re turnin’
And you just can’t fall asleep
I’ll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Every day I will remind you

Oooh
Find out what we’re made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

Chorus
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I’ll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You’ll be there
‘Cause that’s what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah

You’ll always have my shoulder when you cry
I’ll never let go
Never say goodbye
You, oh, you

Chorus
You know you can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I’ll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You’ll be there
‘Cause that’s what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh

Made a wrong turn
Once or twice
Dug my way out
Blood and fire
Bad decisions
That’s alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss “no way it’s all good”
It didn’t slow me down
Mistaken, always second guessing
Underestimated
Look, I’m still around…

The whole world’s scared so I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in line and we tried, tried, tried
But we try too hard, and it’s a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, cuz they’re everywhere
They don’t like my jeans, they don’t get my hair
Estrange ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that?
Why do I do that?
Why do I do that?

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I’d come running back
Baby you don’t know me, cause you’re dead wrong